Europe’s migration crisis and its possible short-term solutions from a V4 perspective

Europe’s migration crisis and its possible short-term solutions from a V4 perspective

22 September, 2015 – 14:00 to 18:00

Stanhope Hotel, Rue du Commerce 9, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

The Antall József Knowledge Centre, the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies (WMCES) and Talentbase Ltd. are organising an international conference focusing on possible short-term responses to the current migration crisis in the EU from a V4 perspective.

An unprecedented migration crisis is unfolding on the EU’s doorsteps. Given the insufficient support for the Commission’s proposal of equal burden-sharing among member states, short-term solutions are necessary before the right EU long-term comprehensive strategy is agreed upon.

Apart from social issues, such as unemployment or social integration, mass migration also raises some major security questions. The free borders of the Schengen area are a luring opportunity for terrorists to pursue their objectives. Therefore, the responsibility of border and transit countries – such as the Visegrád Four – has increased even more. It has become clear that joint action is indispensable not only at European but also at the regional level.

The key questions to be discussed are as follows:

What are the possible short-term responses of the EU to the crisis?

How should the different aspects of the crisis – the possible threat of terrorism, integration of the migrants and the response of the host societies – be evaluated?

What is the optimal balance of competences shared between member states and common EU action?

Are there any common measures the Visegrád Countries can take together at the regional level?

What are the main challenges posed by the migration crisis on CFSP, and what are the possible solutions thereto?